Marlborough’s Carnival Fun Day is no more, after no-one volunteered to join the committee that organises the event.
A crisis meeting held at Marlborough Town Football Club on Tuesday evening – and promoted through the local media – attracted no new helpers.
And with several stalwarts intending to leave the committee, members took the decision to fold, and to donate its remaining funds – approximately £4,000 – to charity.
Committee member Alex Stevens said: “The decision was made to distribute the money held to local charities with the presentations at a future date at the Jubilee Centre.
“To the Air Ambulance will go £1,000 and £500 each to the Prospect Hospice and Naomi House. The Community Bus, Marlborough & District Link Scheme, the Bobby Van, the Jubilee Centre, Greatwood Charity and Charlie’s Charity will each receive £250.
“A special presentation of £500 for a Memorial Bench to honour the late Vicki Philpott nee Gray for her services to Marlborough Carnival and other Community involvement, will be made to her widower Ian Philpott.”
However, the traditional carnival parade may be resurrected under plans that will be outlined at the annual general meeting of arts organisation We Love Marlborough next week.
The meeting will be upstairs at The Bear from 6pm until 7.30pm on Monday, September 23. Anyone interested in finding out more is urged to attend.
Louisa Davison from We Love Marlborough said: “The Fun Day committee had put a lot of time and effort into running the events, and before that the carnival, some of them for 20 years. They should be applauded for their efforts.
“We’re convinced that people would like to see the carnival procession return, but the only way we can make this happen is for people to come forward and help.
“If Devizes and Pewsey can run successful carnival processions, there’s no reason why it can’t be a success in Marlborough.
“We want it to be as much fun to take part in as to watch.”
For more details, log on to http://welovemarlborough.co.uk
- Meanwhile, Pewsey Carnival procession – the largest and oldest illuminated carnival in Wiltshire – takes place on Saturday (September 21) at 7.30pm.
